Happy New Comics Day and welcome to What To Look Forward To!
Here is a quick look at some highlights on the shelves this week, plus another breakdown of a few Convergence titles. A few big titles from Image that I’m excited for, so let’s dive in…
The Infinite Loop #1 – Written by Pierrick Colinet; Art & Cover by Elsa Charretier
- The wildly successful Kickstarter project from France gets it’s first English printing in this six-issue mini-series. A classic “what would you do for love” story meets adventure, sci-fi, and time-travel. It’s already received a few positive reviews and hype is building.
Samurai Jack #18 – Written, Art, and Cover by Andy Suriano
- Andy Suriano, artist for most of the series, takes the reins at writing, giving him total control of the book. This has been a fun series so far, and it’ll be interesting to see what it’s like with Jim Zub (Wayward) off the helm and Suriano on. If you’re at all familiar with the main plot of Samurai Jack, either from the TV show or other, this should be a good place to jump on. If you like it, I’d recommend the rest of the series as well, it’s one of my favorites. I grew up on the TV show and this is a great companion to it.
Deadly Class #12 – Written by Rick Remender, Art & Cover by Wes Craig
- A new arc is beginning in one of Image’s highest rated and fan-favorite series. If you haven’t picked up this series, issues #1-11 have been collected in TPBs, Vol. 1 Reagan Youth and Vol. 2 Kids of The Black Hole. It’s a violent but funny series about a school of assassins-in-training.
Kaptara #1 – Written by Chip Zdarsky; Art & Cover by Kagan McLeod
- A new series from Image, what co-creator Zdarsky (Sex Criminals) refers to as “Saga, but gayer”. I don’t know about you, but that’s enough for me. I’m in.
Velvet #10 – Written by Ed Brubaker; Art & Cover by Steve Epting
- The final issue in the second arc of this highly-acclaimed series. According to the Image website, Vol. 2 The Secret Lives of Dead Men TPB is coming out the same day as issue #11 on May 6th so now might be a good time to pick up Vol. 1 Before The Living. I was really surprised how much I liked this series and how it continues to go in unexpected directions.
Lady Mechanika: Tablet of Destinies #1 – Written by M. M. Chen; Art & Cover by Joe Benitez
- After a 3-year hiatus, issue #4 of the flagship series Lady Mechanika was released in February, #5 in March, and now a mini-series; it looks to be back in full swing. This appears to be a fine jump-on point for new fans. While no TPB or HC collections exist yet, you can find the issues at Comixology, with issue #0 for free.
CONVERGENCE
This may end up being my favorite week of Convergence, there are some very cool books out today. A few creative recalls to old DC and some character matchups I never imagined.
Adventures of Superman – Written by Marv Wolfman; Art by Roberto Viacava; Cover by Mikel Janin.
- Superman and Supergirl try to save Metropolis, but learn that, if they do, a horrible fate awaits Supergirl in Crisis on Infinite Earths. A little throwback to Wolfman’s legendary event.
Batman and the Outsiders – Written by Marc Andreyko; Art by Carlos D’Anda; Cover by Andy Kubert.
- Batman must reunite the team to save their city against OMAC. If you aren’t familiar, Batman once left the Justice League to form the Outsiders so this one seems a little personal for him. Batman’s not always a team player so this should be an interesting book.
Green Lantern Corps – Written by David Gallagher; Art by Steve Ellis; Cover by Tony Harris (shown)
- Hal Jordan, Jon Stewart, and Guy Gardner together for the first time (in New52) to save Gotham City.
Justice League of America – Written by Fabian Nicieza; Art & Cover by ChrisCross
- With the regular League members busy, the less-than-favored Detroit Justice League must go up against foes from the Tangent Universe.
New Teen Titans – Written by Marv Wolfman; Art & Cover by Nicola Scott
- The original, and some say greatest, Teen Titans team reunites with long-time writer of the series Marv Wolfman to take on the Tangent Universe’s Doom Patrol.
Swamp Thing – Written by Len Wein; Art & Cover by Kelley Jones (shown)
- Original co-creator Len Wein returns to The Green to tell us happens when Swamp Thing is cut off from his power source. With horror master Kelley Jones on art, this is sure one you won’t want to miss.
Wonder Woman – Written by Larry Hama; Art & Cover by Joshua Middleton
- Diana Prince and Steve Trevor vs. a Domesday cult and the Vampires from Batman: Red Rain. This is one I was not expecting but am very excited for.
That’s it for this week, happy reading everyone!